Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Shale Natural Gas Probably Overstated

Again, for those who care (I do not have a dog in this fight, and wouldn't post these links except that I know some folks are interested in this information), the link is here.

Estimates that the US Environmental Protection Agency and others have used for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shale gas production probably are overstated, IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates said in a new report.

 Estimates are being used that are not supported by data, do not reflect current industry practice, and would be unreliable to use as a base for decision-making.”

EPA estimates were based on two workshop presentations describing methane captured during “green completions”—operations designed to capture as much methane as possible, according to the report. It said EPA assumed that similar methane levels were produced at every other US well, and that those emissions were not captured at all. Such assumptions do not conform to current industry practices, it stated.